What permits do you need to open a food truck in Mchenry County Il?

Temporary Food Establishment Permit

A temporary food establishment operates at a fixed location for not more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event (PHO Article I). The permit fee is $70.00 for Risk Classification I and $45.00 for Risk Classification II, with a $25.00 late fee when the application arrives less than five days before the event; Article VII states that temporary permit fees and late fees are not refundable or transferable. A festival organiser can instead pay $440.00 for up to 10 stands plus $35.00 for each stand over 10. All figures are per PHO Article VII §8.04.960 (Fees), approved by the County Board on July 21, 2026 and effective August 1, 2026; Article VII states that fees are in effect from December 1 through November 30 of the following year or until modified by the County Board. Category III temporary food establishments are exempt from the permit and fee requirements but must meet the rest of the ordinance (§8.04.140.A.1). One temporary food event is allowed per sponsor per single location per calendar year unless the renewal conditions in §8.04.230.B are met.

Mobile Food Establishment Health Permit

A food truck or other mobile food establishment needs a Department of Health permit. Under PHO Article I a non-seasonal mobile unit operates five or more months per permit year and a seasonal one operates less than five months. Non-seasonal units pay $300.00, $240.00 or $175.00 for Risk Classification I, II or III; seasonal units pay $150.00, $115.00 or $80.00, per PHO Article VII §8.04.960 (Fees), approved by the County Board on July 21, 2026 and effective August 1, 2026; Article VII states that fees are in effect from December 1 through November 30 of the following year or until modified by the County Board. Before operating, the unit must be inspected by a licensed plumbing inspector and the report submitted to the Department, and the operator must provide the most recent inspection report of its approved commissary and the commissary agreement (§8.04.220.C). Routes must be provided on request, and the unit must be stored at a protected base of operations when not in use.

Class S Special Event Liquor License

A Class S license authorises on-premises retail sale of alcoholic liquor for a 24-hour period at an event in unincorporated McHenry County. Per County Code §5.08.090.A.7 it is issued only to an organisation or corporation that already holds a current State of Illinois liquor license and a license from the county or a municipality in McHenry County substantially similar to a county Class A, B or C license. The fee is $150.00 for each 24-hour period, a holder may receive no more than 10 per license year, and the event needs a temporary use permit or other zoning authorisation from Planning and Development. The $1,000 new-applicant application fee does not apply to Class S (§5.08.100.C).

Certified Food Protection Manager

No state fee, because the state does not run the certification — an accredited body does, and its course and exam fees are what you actually pay. Illinois food establishments must be under the supervision of a certified manager, which is a higher bar than food handler training: it needs an accredited course and a passed exam, and it lasts five years rather than three. Chicago runs its own parallel certification, so an operator inside the city must check city rules and not only state ones. The older name, food service sanitation manager certificate, still appears on some guidance.

Shared with other businesses in Mchenry County Il

• Food Establishment Construction Plan Review — McHenry County Department of Health, $125–$400 per project: Major review Risk I $400.00, II $275.00, III $200.00; Minor review $125.00; 2nd and subsequent resubmittal $75.00; food establishment variance review $100.00; the review fee is doubled if work starts without written approval, plan approval valid two years from the date of approval (PHO Art. III §8.04.160.D); renewable for six months at half the prevailing plan review fee. Also required for restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores and childcare centres; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
• Seasonal Temporary Food Establishment Permit (Single Location) — McHenry County Department of Health, $180–$360 per permit year: Risk Classification I (5 months) $255.00; Risk Classification II (5 months) $180.00; Risk Classification II (8 months) $360.00, within one permit year (May 1 – April 30); not renewable in a permit year (PHO Art. III §8.04.230.B.4). Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• Food Program Conditional, Replacement, Reinstatement and Re-inspection Fees — McHenry County Department of Health, $25–$100 per event: Replacement Permit $25.00; Conditional Permit $65.00; Reinstatement after suspension or revocation $95.00; 2nd and subsequent re-inspections for the same violation $95.00; Off Site Food Storage Facility $100.00, per occurrence; a conditional permit lasts up to 30 days (PHO Art. III §8.04.140.D). Also required for restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores and childcare centres; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
• Retail Food Establishment Permit — Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Food, Drugs and Dairies, No state fee — the permit and its price are set by the local health department, set by the local health department. Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
• Food Handler Training — Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Food, Drugs and Dairies, No fee, 3 years. Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.